Tag: Ottawa Senators

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Senators, Jets aim to continue strong play after holiday break

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Two of the NHL’s top-performing teams will meet on Saturday night as the Ottawa Senators face the Winnipeg Jets.

The Senators had their six-game winning streak snapped in their last game, a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. However, the bigger concern following the loss was the health of goalie Linus Ullmark, who left the game with an upper-body injury.

“His back tightened up, so I felt it was best that he came out,” coach Travis Green said after the game.

The Senators confirmed Friday that Ullmark would not join the team on their five-game road trip starting Saturday and ending Jan. 7 in Detroit.

Before Sunday’s game, Ullmark had been outstanding with a 7-0-0 record, a .967 save percentage, and a 0.99 goals-against average over his previous seven starts.

Without Ullmark, the Senators may turn to Leevi Merilainen, who won his third career game by beating the Vancouver Canucks 5-4 in overtime on Dec. 21, before replacing Ullmark in the Edmonton game.

Veteran goalie Anton Forsberg, who has been out since Dec. 8 due to a lower-body injury, will travel with the team.

This game is important for the Senators as it is the fifth game in their season-long nine-game road trip. They are currently in a playoff spot for the first time since 2016-17, following the NHL’s three-day Christmas break.

Winnipeg Jets (NHL)

Winnipeg, on the other hand, has been strong in goal as well. The Jets are 5-1-1 in their last seven games and have not allowed more than three goals in any of those contests.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been exceptional, earning four shutouts and ranking at the top of the league with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage.

The Jets’ offense has also been productive, scoring four or more goals in six of their last nine games. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor are tied for the league lead in goals with 21 each.

“When your top guys can do that, it gets the opposition on their heels a little bit,” said Jets coach Scott Arniel about his top line of Scheifele, Connor, and Gabriel Vilardi.

The Jets have a strong 12-3-1 record at home and have won four straight games against the Senators, though Ottawa did beat them 3-2 in Winnipeg on March 30.

Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey ranks third among all defensemen with 30 assists in 36 games, while Senators forward Tim Stutzle is aiming for 40 points, having already earned 39 in his first 34 games.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Tkachuk’s Overtime Goal Leads Senators to 3-2 Win Over Penguins, Marking Third Straight Victory

Tkachuk's Overtime Goal Leads Senators to 3-2 Win Over Penguins, Marking Third Straight Victory
Tkachuk's Overtime Goal Leads Senators to 3-2 Win Over Penguins, Marking Third Straight Victory

Brady Tkachuk delivered a dramatic overtime goal just 1:46 into the extra period, securing the Ottawa Senators a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Tkachuk’s game-winning play came after a slick toe-drag move around Erik Karlsson in the slot, followed by a wrist shot that beat Pittsburgh’s goalie, Tristan Jarry. The goal capped off a resilient performance by Ottawa, with Tkachuk stressing the importance of playing for each other and sticking to their identity. The Senators’ victory marked their third straight win, the team’s first three-game streak of the season.

Ottawa’s offense was balanced, with Thomas Chabot contributing both a goal and an assist. Chabot opened the scoring in the first period after Claude Giroux outwaited Jarry and fed him for a one-timer. Drake Batherson also found the back of the net, while Chabot’s assist on Batherson’s goal in the third period showcased a creative play. Head coach Travis Green lauded his team for their perseverance, particularly when Pittsburgh responded to tie the game in the third period. Ottawa’s ability to rebound from setbacks helped them clinch the win.

Tkachuk's Overtime Goal Leads Senators to 3-2 Win Over Penguins, Marking Third Straight Victory
Tkachuk’s Overtime Goal Leads Senators to 3-2 Win Over Penguins, Marking Third Straight Victory

In net, Linus Ullmark was outstanding, making 25 saves to earn the victory. Ullmark, who had earned a shutout against the Carolina Hurricanes the previous night, stepped in as the starter after Anton Forsberg was injured during warmups. Despite the unexpected change, Ullmark remained composed, and his key saves, including a critical paddle stop against Karlsson in the first period, kept the Senators in the lead. Ullmark has been on a hot streak, extending his record to 6-0-1 in his past seven starts.

Pittsburgh, despite playing a solid game, could not pull out a win. Blake Lizotte and Kris Letang scored for the Penguins, with Letang’s goal in the third period tying the game at 2-2. Letang’s wrist shot from the point found its way past Ullmark, but it was not enough to prevent the Penguins from falling short. Head coach Mike Sullivan noted that while Ottawa’s defense was tough, Pittsburgh’s failure to break through early on ultimately cost them the game.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Ottawa regaining the lead in the third after Chabot’s shot deflected off Batherson’s skate. Despite Pittsburgh’s best efforts to tie the game with Letang’s goal, Tkachuk’s overtime winner sealed the Senators’ win. The game was a testament to Ottawa’s growing resilience, with the team showing maturity and composure in crucial moments. For the Penguins, it was a tough loss, as they were unable to capitalize on their opportunities and secure the win in a hard-fought contest.

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The Ottawa Senators, riding a strong streak, are on an extended road trip and will face the struggling Calgary Flames

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

The Ottawa Senators will try to extend their winning streak to five games when they face the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.

Ottawa started its longest road trip in team history (nine games) with a 3-0 win against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night. The Flames, however, blew a 3-1 lead in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins.

Linus Ullmark made 30 saves for his third shutout of the season with Ottawa. He has won his last six starts, allowing just five goals in that span.

“The past six games (from Ullmark) have been nuts. It’s been crazy to watch,” forward Shane Pinto said. “We’re just lucky to have him.”

Ullmark became the fifth goaltender in Senators history to record shutouts in consecutive road games. He also made 32 saves in a 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 13. With Anton Forsberg likely out until after Christmas due to injury, Ullmark is expected to start his fifth straight game on Thursday.

Pinto, Noah Gregor, and Tim Stutzle each scored for the Senators, who have won six of their last seven games. Pinto’s goal on Tuesday was his third in as many games after going 19 games without scoring.

“I don’t think anyone’s surprised when (Pinto) scores,” Ottawa coach Travis Green said. “He’s capable of scoring, obviously, more than he has. He knows that, we know that, and confidence is a funny thing. Once you get one goal, usually guys like that start to score a little more.”

Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators

The Senators are now 14-2-0 when scoring first this season.

Due to the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship being held at the Canadian Tire Centre and TD Place Arena, Ottawa will be on the road for their next eight games. With Tuesday’s win, they improved their road record to 6-7-1.

In Calgary, David Pastrnak scored with 38 seconds left in overtime to give Boston a 4-3 win over the Flames on Tuesday.

Matt Coronato, Nazem Kadri, and Ryan Lomberg scored for the Flames, who have lost four of their last six games and eight of their last 11. Dustin Wolf made 31 saves as Calgary dropped to 11-4-2 at home.

Kadri’s goal put the Flames up 2-0 in the second period, and he has now scored in four straight games, matching his NHL career-long streak.

“To me, it was like a tale of two games,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska. “The first half, I really liked our game. I thought we had them on the run for a lot of the beginning portion of the game. And then I thought they flipped the script on us. They had us on the run.”

The Bruins outshot the Flames 15-5 in the third period and 4-0 in overtime.

One of Calgary’s issues has been winning faceoffs. According to the Calgary Herald, the Flames have won the faceoff battle just five times in 32 games this season. Their season-long faceoff success rate is 44.6 percent, which ranks them among the bottom five teams in the league.

“It is an area that we have to get better in,” Huska said. “We got away with it in the first period. If you’re not starting with the puck ever, you’re chasing the game the whole time. It has not been a strength for us this year, but I know it can get better.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Hurricanes Bounce Back With 4-1 Win Over Blue Jackets After Shutout Loss to Senators

Hurricanes Bounce Back With 4-1 Win Over Blue Jackets After Shutout Loss to Senators
Hurricanes Bounce Back With 4-1 Win Over Blue Jackets After Shutout Loss to Senators

The Carolina Hurricanes rebounded from a 3-0 shutout loss to the Ottawa Senators with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday. Hosting the Jackets, who had beaten them in a shootout during their November meeting, the Hurricanes were determined to make a stronger statement. Dustin Tokarski made his first NHL start since February 2023, showing composure in goal for Carolina, while Columbus turned to Elvis Merzlikins. Early penalties shaped the game’s opening minutes, but Carolina’s penalty kill stood strong, allowing the Canes to capitalize and take the lead.

Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho connected on a slick 2-on-1 play to open the scoring, with Aho slipping the puck past Merzlikins. Later in the first period, Jordan Staal set up William Carrier for a backhand finish, doubling Carolina’s advantage heading into intermission. The Staal line, which included Martinook and Carrier, was instrumental, combining for two goals and three assists in a dominant performance. The Hurricanes thrived when playing at even strength, controlling the tempo and creating quality scoring opportunities.

Hurricanes Bounce Back With 4-1 Win Over Blue Jackets After Shutout Loss to Senators
Hurricanes Bounce Back With 4-1 Win Over Blue Jackets After Shutout Loss to Senators

The second period saw Columbus attempt to fight back. Kirill Marchenko forced a turnover behind the net, leading to Dmitri Voronkov scoring to cut the lead in half. Carolina responded with sustained pressure, and Jordan Martinook tipped in a shot by Staal. After a tense review for goalie interference, the goal stood. Another Columbus challenge negated a potential Hurricanes goal for a hand pass, but the Canes maintained their two-goal cushion heading into the third period.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi sealed the game early in the final period with a sharp shot over Merzlikins’ glove, assisted by Martin Necas. Columbus pushed for a comeback, but Tokarski and the Hurricanes’ defense was impenetrable, ensuring the win. Tokarski, making his first NHL appearance in nearly two years, proved reliable, handling early penalty kills and making key saves throughout the game. His strong showing adds optimism for Carolina’s goaltending situation moving forward.

The Hurricanes now look ahead to their final game of a four-game homestand against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. The Islanders previously defeated Carolina with a dominant second period earlier this month, setting the stage for a challenging rematch. After Tuesday, the Hurricanes face three consecutive road games before the Christmas break, starting with a matchup against the Washington Capitals on Friday night.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos

Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos
Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos

The NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers on November 27 turned chaotic as officials ejected all 10 players involved in a third-period brawl. The fight, which erupted after Dmitry Kulikov of the Panthers slammed Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk into the boards, saw players from both teams rushing in to join the melee. Referee Garrett Rank issued 10-minute misconduct penalties to every skater on the ice, effectively removing them for the remainder of the game. The brawl epitomized a loss of control as players attempted to punch past officials trying to separate them.

Florida held a commanding lead of 4-0 when the brawl broke out and maintained their dominance to secure a 5-0 victory. However, the drama overshadowed the game itself, as tensions boiled over multiple times. Ottawa’s Zack MacEwen had already been ejected earlier in the third period, adding to the growing list of players sidelined for unsportsmanlike behavior. The game devolved into a spectacle of penalty minutes and short-handed play.

Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos
Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos

The intensity reached a personal level when brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, playing for opposing teams, were seen exchanging heated words. Their verbal sparring added another layer of drama to the game, particularly as their grandparents watched from the stands. Geraldine Tkachuk, their grandmother, appeared unimpressed, further emphasizing the surreal nature of the family dynamic amidst the chaos.

Brady Tkachuk defended the team’s emotional play, expressing pride in their passion and commitment to each other. His remarks highlighted the fine line between playing with intensity and losing composure. The Senators’ captain viewed the brawl as a testament to the team’s fighting spirit, even if the game’s outcome and conduct left much to be desired.

In total, the game saw 167 penalty minutes, a significant tally though far from the NHL record of 419 set in 2004. Florida Panthers’ coach Paul Maurice dismissed the penalties as “mild,” downplaying the severity of the altercations. The game ultimately reflected hockey’s volatile nature, where fierce competitiveness can sometimes lead to chaos, testing the patience and authority of officials.

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Senators’ Linus Ullmark made 30 saves to earn a shutout in a win over the Kraken

Ottawa Senators and Seattle Kraken

Linus Ullmark made 30 saves to earn his third shutout of the season and his second in the past three games, leading the Ottawa Senators to a 3-0 win over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. Ullmark, who won the 2022-23 Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie while with Boston, has now won his last six starts, giving up only five goals during that stretch.

Shane Pinto, Noah Gregor, and Tim Stutzle scored for Ottawa, which won its fourth straight game, a season-high streak. The Senators are beginning a nine-game road trip and will play four consecutive away games before returning home for the holiday break.

They will then go on another five-game road trip due to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s world junior championships being held in Ottawa.

Kraken goalie Joey Daccord, who was picked from Ottawa in the 2021 expansion draft, stopped 23 of 26 shots. Seattle finished its four-game homestand with a 1-2-1 record.

Ottawa swept the season series against Seattle, winning both games 3-0. They also won 3-0 in their previous meeting on Nov. 2 in Ottawa with Anton Forsberg in goal.

The Kraken outshot Ottawa 15-7 in a scoreless first period.

Seattle Kraken (NHL)

The Senators took the lead at 8:02 of the second period. Michael Amadio forced a turnover as Seattle tried to enter its offensive zone, leading to an odd-man rush. Pinto carried the puck up the right wing and took a shot from the faceoff dot, which slipped between Daccord’s legs.

Ottawa increased its lead to 2-0 at 12:45 of the second. Zack Ostapchuk carried the puck from his own blue line into Seattle’s zone, passing to Ridly Greig at the left point. Greig quickly passed to Gregor, who beat Daccord with a shot just inside the post.

Stutzle sealed the victory with a 3-0 goal on a breakaway at 4:18 of the third period. Claude Giroux forced a turnover in Ottawa’s defensive zone, and Adam Gaudette made a backhanded pass to Stutzle, sending him in alone from the blue line. Daccord got a piece of Stutzle’s shot, but it deflected over his shoulder into the net.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Looking for their fourth consecutive win, the Senators begin a 9-game road trip against the Kraken

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

The Ottawa Senators will spend the holiday season away from home ice.

They are starting a stretch of nine consecutive road games on Tuesday in Seattle against the Kraken and won’t return to play at home until January 9.

During the NHL’s holiday break, the Senators will have some time with their families. Their trip will be divided into two parts: the first is a four-game swing through the West, with stops in Calgary, Vancouver, and Edmonton; the second part is a five-game trip after Christmas, as the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championships will be taking place in Ottawa.

“It’s always hard going out West,” said Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark. “Our goal is to win them all, but we’ll see afterwards what the results are and what we’ll bring home for Christmas.”

The Senators are on a roll, having won three straight games for the first time this season and five of their last six. They’ve moved into a wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after a 3-2 overtime win against Pittsburgh on Saturday. Brady Tkachuk scored 1:46 into overtime, and Ullmark made 25 saves.

“We’re playing to our identity,” said Tkachuk, who leads the team with 15 goals and has 32 points, behind Tim Stutzle (36) and Drake Batherson (33). “We’re playing for each other, and if we keep doing it, the results are going to keep coming.”

Seattle Kraken (NHL)

Defenseman Thomas Chabot added, “This group is rolling off the momentum. We’ve got a long road trip ahead of us and we’ve got to bring that to Seattle on Tuesday night.”

A big part of the Senators’ recent success has been Ullmark, who is playing at the same high level that earned him the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie in 2023 with Boston. Ullmark is 6-0-1 in his last seven starts, with a 1.55 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage.

Ullmark wasn’t supposed to start on Saturday but had to step in after backup Anton Forsberg got injured during warmups. It was Ullmark’s third start in four days.

“For Linus to step in and have the night he did, it’s impressive,” said Senators coach Travis Green.

The Kraken are 4-2-1 in their last seven games, even though they suffered a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday, giving up three third-period goals.

Oliver Bjorkstrand has scored four goals in the past four games, tying Jared McCann for the team lead with 11 goals.

Seattle’s Brandon Montour scored first, but the Lightning dominated the rest of the game.

“We can’t ask for a better start. Monty gets us one early, and we don’t really have much of a response the whole entire game,” said defenseman Vince Dunn. “Guys are working hard, maybe not working necessarily in the smart places.

We kind of look like the same that we were probably eight games ago (losing to Anaheim and San Jose twice). That’s disappointing … we know that we can hopefully respond the right way here come Tuesday in the last game of the homestand.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Brady Tkachuk’s overtime winner secures Senators’ thrilling 3-2 victory over Penguins, extending win streak.

Brady Tkachuk's Overtime Heroics Lead Senators to Third Straight Win in 3-2 Penguins Victory
Brady Tkachuk's Overtime Heroics Lead Senators to Third Straight Win in 3-2 Penguins Victory

The Ottawa Senators claimed a 3-2 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking their third consecutive win. In their final home game of the year, captain Brady Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal in overtime, while Thomas Chabot contributed a goal and an assist for a two-point performance. Drake Batherson also found the back of the net, and goaltender Linus Ullmark delivered a strong performance, stepping in last minute to start for the second night in a row. Ullmark’s key saves were instrumental in keeping Ottawa in the game.

Thomas Chabot opened the scoring midway through the first period after receiving a well-executed pass from Claude Giroux. Ottawa carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, outshooting and outhitting the Penguins. The second period remained scoreless, with Ullmark making several crucial saves, including a highlight-reel stop against Sidney Crosby late in the frame to preserve the Senators’ narrow lead.

Brady Tkachuk's Overtime Heroics Lead Senators to Third Straight Win in 3-2 Penguins Victory
Brady Tkachuk’s Overtime Heroics Lead Senators to Third Straight Win in 3-2 Penguins Victory

Early in the third period, the Penguins tied the game 1-1 when Blake Lizotte scored. The Senators quickly regained the lead minutes later as Drake Batherson redirected a Thomas Chabot shot into the net. However, Kris Letang responded for Pittsburgh with a goal late in regulation, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing overtime.

In the extra period, Brady Tkachuk came through for the Senators with a spectacular game-winning goal. Receiving a breakout pass from Jake Sanderson, Tkachuk maneuvered around Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and beat Tristan Jarry five-hole to secure the win. Sanderson earned the lone assist on the decisive goal, capping off an exciting night for Ottawa.

Linus Ullmark was outstanding, finishing with 25 saves on 27 shots and a .926 save percentage. His performance continued a strong streak of games, maintaining a goals-against average under 2.00 and a save percentage above .925% for the fifth consecutive contest. The Senators now head on the road, starting with a matchup against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, before returning home on January 6 to face the Buffalo Sabres.

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Brady Tkachuk scored in overtime to give the Ottawa Senators a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night

Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguin

Brady Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Ottawa Senators beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Saturday night, winning their third straight game, which is a season-high for them.

In the fourth consecutive overtime game between these teams in Ottawa, Tkachuk received a stretch pass from Jake Sanderson, made a move around defenseman Erik Karlsson, and then beat goaltender Tristan Jarry (who had 28 saves) for his team-leading 15th goal. With this win, the Senators improved to 3-2 in overtime, while Pittsburgh’s record dropped to 4-5.

Thomas Chabot scored a goal and added an assist, and Drake Batherson scored his 13th goal for Ottawa, which has now won 5 of its last 7 games.

After stopping 118 of 121 shots in his previous four wins, including a 32-save shutout against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, Linus Ullmark was back in goal for Ottawa and made 25 saves, earning his fifth consecutive win.

Blake Lizotte and Kris Letang scored for Pittsburgh, while defenseman Marcus Pettersson was injured late in the first period after a check into the boards and did not return to the game.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)

Ottawa took the lead early in the first period. After Claude Giroux’s rebound shot, he skated around Jarry’s net and passed to Chabot, who scored his second goal of the season at 7:34. Ullmark made key saves during a Pittsburgh scoring chance when he denied Michael Bunting on a breakaway and made a remarkable stick save on a rebound shot from Karlsson.

In the second period, after Blake Lizotte was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, Jarry made five big saves on the Ottawa power play to keep the Penguins within one. However, Ullmark responded with a crucial save on Sidney Crosby’s chip-in attempt at the far post in the final minute of the second period.

Lizotte redeemed himself early in the third period, scoring on a rebound from Matt Grzelcyk’s shot to tie the game at 1-1. Batherson put Ottawa back on top after a pass from Chabot deflected off his skate and into the net at 6:38. Letang tied the game once more for Pittsburgh with his seventh goal at the 12-minute mark, leading to overtime.

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Linus Ullmark recorded a 32-save shutout as the Senators defeated the Hurricanes 3-0

Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes

Linus Ullmark earned a 32-save shutout and Shane Pinto scored two goals as the Ottawa Senators won 3-0 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night in Raleigh, N.C.

Nick Jensen added a goal and an assist for the Senators, who won four out of their last five games. Michael Amadio and Nick Cousins each recorded two assists.

Ullmark recorded his second shutout of the season, bringing his career total to 10 shutouts in 266 NHL games. His career record against Carolina is now 1-4-1.

This was the Hurricanes’ second shutout loss of the season, both of which occurred within a six-game period. Pyotr Kochetkov made 19 saves in the loss, as Carolina dropped five of its last seven games.

The Senators improved to 6-13-1 in their last 20 matchups with the Hurricanes and had not won in Raleigh in over three years.

Ullmark has been excellent recently, with a record of 5-0-1 in his past six starts.

Carolina’s 32 shots were the second-most they’ve taken in the last eight games.

Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes

Pinto scored the first goal of the game at 4:04 in the second period after receiving a short pass from Amadio and firing from the slot. It was Pinto’s second goal of the season, with his first coming in the season opener. He had been sidelined for eight games with an injury. Pinto also ended a 15-game streak without a point.

Jensen added a goal with 5:15 remaining in the game, marking his second goal of the season. His first came on Nov. 7.

Pinto scored his second goal into an empty net with 47 seconds left. His only other two-goal game was on Nov. 10, 2022, at New Jersey.

Carolina failed to score on two power plays in the first period and did not get another opportunity for the rest of the game. The Senators also went scoreless on two power plays.

Both games between Ottawa and Carolina this season have been shutouts, with the Hurricanes winning 4-0 at home on Nov. 16.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Drake Batherson’s three-goal performance leads Senators to victory over Ducks

Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks

Drake Batherson scored three goals in a row and added an assist as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 on Wednesday night.

Brady Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, Noah Gregor also scored, and Linus Ullmark made 31 saves for the Senators, who have won three of their last four games.

Cutter Gauthier scored, and John Gibson made 29 saves for the Ducks, who have lost four straight games (0-3-1).

For the second consecutive game, the Ducks gave up a goal in the first three minutes.

Anaheim defenseman Cam Fowler blocked a shot from Nick Jensen above the right circle, but Gregor was there to put the rebound into the net for a 1-0 lead at 2:55.

Later in the first period, Anaheim took two minor penalties just five seconds apart, and Ottawa capitalized on the 5-on-3 power play to go ahead 2-0 at 11:15. Batherson celebrated after Gibson covered the puck in the crease, but the goal wasn’t confirmed until a video review showed the puck had crossed the goal line beneath Gibson.

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Batherson scored his second goal on another power play. He tried to pass to Tim Stutzle, but the puck hit Fowler’s skate and deflected into Anaheim’s net to give Ottawa a 3-0 lead at 18:25 of the second period.

Batherson completed his natural hat trick when his shot from the point hit Fowler’s stick and went into the net, making it 4-0 at 10:30 of the second period.

Batherson became the first Ottawa player to score three straight goals in a game since Tkachuk did so on December 11, 2021, in a 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tkachuk scored the third power-play goal of the game with a redirection from close range, putting Ottawa ahead 5-0 at 8:58 of the third period.

Ottawa went 3-for-5 on the power play.

Ullmark was denied his second shutout of the season and the 10th of his NHL career when Gauthier scored on a tip-in at 12:42.

Anaheim center Leo Carlsson returned after missing six games due to an upper-body injury. He didn’t record a shot on goal in 13:35 of ice time while centering the second line.

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NFL (American Football)

The Senators are looking to improve their win percentage as they prepare to face a stronger Ducks team

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

The Ottawa Senators know they can’t keep staying in the same position if they want to end their seven-year playoff drought.

With a nine-game road trip ahead, the Senators will try to take advantage of playing at home when they face the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.

“It’s a long season and there is a lot of hockey ahead of us,” said Ottawa defenseman Thomas Chabot. “We’re building something and playing some good hockey lately.”

The Senators have had four chances this season to win three games in a row, but they have lost each time. The most recent loss came on Sunday when they fell 4-2 to the New York Islanders. The game was tied 2-2 in the third period, but the Islanders scored on a power play after a tripping penalty and then sealed the win with an empty-net goal.

Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk, who has been part of recent trade rumors, said the Senators will win nine out of ten games if they continue playing like they did against the Islanders.

“There is still so much hockey and runway left,” Tkachuk said. “It’s a crucial two points that we missed out on, but if we play like that, we’re going to get rewarded.”

The Senators said similar things after losing to the Ducks 4-3 in a shootout on Dec. 1 in Anaheim. That game was also tied 2-2 going into the third period, but Ottawa lost again.

Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks

“Plain and simple, we want to win hockey games, and when you don’t, you’re frustrated and not happy about it,” Chabot said. “We’re definitely heading in the right direction here. We know where we’re at and won’t be satisfied with losing games.”

Anaheim began its four-game road trip with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night.

Troy Terry scored both goals for the Ducks, bringing his team-leading total to eight. Much of the focus was on Anaheim defenseman Jacob Trouba, who made his debut with the Ducks after being traded from the New York Rangers on Friday.

Trouba led the Ducks with five hits and played the most even-strength ice time at 21:30.

“He’s always hard to play against,” Terry said. “You know he’s this big, physical guy and he’s good defensively. I thought he was up in the play a lot tonight offensively. It felt like a few times whenever I got space in the offensive zone, he was in a good spot for a pass or a chance to score. So, I thought he was great.”

John Gibson is expected to start in goal after Lukas Dostal made 19 saves against Montreal.

Gibson has had strong success against the Senators, with a 4-2-2 record, a .945 save percentage, and a 1.61 goals-against average. Anaheim coach Greg Cronin said if the Ducks can start the game like they did against Montreal, they should have success.

“The first period was one of the best periods we’ve played,” Cronin said. “It kind of resembled the way we’ve been playing when we’re winning.”